Parents to be given Government guidance on how to speak to Trans children

Children put their hands up to ask a question

Rishi Sunak is expected to announce the guidance in the coming days

PA
Sam Montgomery

By Sam Montgomery


Published: 15/07/2023

- 15:35

Updated: 15/07/2023

- 18:08

Downing Street poised to issue schools with guidance that suggests period of reflection for pupils wishing to transition

Number 10 is set to publish guidance on transgender children which it hopes will provide greater clarity to teachers and keep parents better informed.

The Government has been pressured to issue advice on how schools should respond to the growing number of children wishing to self-identify as a different gender.


Expected to be approved within days, the guidance will advise teachers to implement a period of reflection for pupils wishing to transition to a different gender.

It is believed that the advice will instruct schools to inform parents should their child express a desire to identity as a different gender or be referred to as a new name.

People take part in a Trans Pride protest march in Brighton on Saturday July 15, 2023.

People take part in a Trans Pride protest march in Brighton on Saturday July 15, 2023.

PA

Number 10 is also expected to make clear to schools that they should have single-sex changing rooms, lavatories and boarding rooms.

On the contentious issue of transgender pupils in sport, the advice is expected to clarify that a boy who self-identifies as a girl should not take part in contact sports with girls, and vice-versa.

However, the guidance is expected to be less strict on non-contact sports.

The guidance will only apply to England and only cover state schools, although it is assumed that private schools will also adhere to the advice.

People take part in a Trans Pride protest march in Brighton on Saturday July 15, 2023.

The protest march is part of what has been billed as the first and largest Trans Pride event in Europe

PA

Rishi Sunak is expected to announce the guidance in the coming days, as he faces a potentially turbulent week ahead.

The Prime Minister is staring down the barrel of losing three Conservative seats in the by-elections taking place on Thursday.

No modern Prime Minister has suffered three by-election losses on a single day.

Recognised as a delicate matter, the guidance has undergone rounds of redrafting between Downing Street, the education department and Kemi Badenoch, the women and equalities minister.

Children running, only legs visible

There is not expected to be a defined time frame for the pupil's period of reflection

PA

A senior government source told The Telegraph: “The guidance is all about parents being able to protect their kids, for kids to be protected and for teachers to have clarity.”

Another government source close to the development of the policy said: “Before you make a decision that can have a major impact, it is sensible to ensure it is considered seriously.”

While some Tory MPs have called for a defined duration for the period of reflection, such as three months, it is believed that this has been deemed too heavy handed.

The news comes after Ofsted released findings following a snap inspection at the school where a student is said to have ‘identified as a cat.’

Rye College, in East Sussex

Rye College in East Sussex

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Rye College hit the headlines after a secret video appeared to capture pupils arguing with a teacher over gender and self-identification.

In the video, a teacher reprimands a student as "despicable" for questioning a classmate identifying as a cat.

However, an Ofsted inspection of the school in East Sussex, has found only “sensitive and impartial” teaching of relationships and sex education.

The report said: “The concerns relating to the teaching of [relationship, health and sex education] that led to this inspection do not reflect pupils’ normal experiences at school."

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